Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basic Certification Practice Exam

During an asthma attack, what might you observe alongside tachycardia?

1. Clubbing of nails

2. Use of accessory muscles

3. Barrel chest

4. Productive cough

The correct answer is: Use of accessory muscles

During an asthma attack, the use of accessory muscles is a key observation that indicates increased respiratory effort. Asthma is characterized by bronchoconstriction, inflammation, and mucus production, which can significantly restrict airflow and make breathing laborious. As a result, individuals often recruit additional muscles, such as those in the neck and shoulders, to assist with inhalation and exhalation. This reliance on accessory muscles is an observable sign of respiratory distress. It reflects the patient's struggle to maintain adequate ventilation and oxygenation due to the obstructed airways. The presence of tachycardia often accompanies this because the body is in a state of stress and is attempting to compensate for decreased oxygen levels, leading to an increased heart rate. In contrast, clubbing of the nails, a barrel chest, and a productive cough are not typically associated with acute asthma attacks. Clubbing usually results from chronic hypoxia over time, which is not common in transient asthma episodes. A barrel chest may develop in patients with chronic lung issues, indicating long-term impairment, rather than an acute asthma situation. A productive cough is more indicative of conditions like bronchitis or infections, whereas asthma attacks often present with dry coughing or wheezing due to airway constriction.